Dorothy FarrarInflamed corners of the mouth
Inflamed corners of the mouth are medically referred to by the unsightly term lazy licks or also as cheilitis at the corners of the mouth. Typical triggers are fungal infections, bacterial diseases or allergies. The strongly reddened skin is the characteristic feature of inflamed corners of the mouth.
What are inflamed corners of the mouth?
Inflamed corners of the mouth form cracks in the reddened skin. If inflamed corners of the mouth are not treated, the disease can take a long time.
Inflamed corners of the mouth become scabby when the healing process is poor. When you open your mouth, you notice an uncomfortable tightening of the skin.
Inflamed corners of the mouth also cause pain over time . Spicy food or acidic foods such as fruit juice increase the pain sensation. Inflamed corners of the mouth are a common condition.
In adults, the fungus Candida albicans causes inflamed corners of the mouth. About 75 percent of people already carry the pathogen, which can break out under certain circumstances. In children, on the other hand, bacteria such as staphylococci or streptococci cause inflamed corners of the mouth to develop.
causes
Inflamed corners of the mouth are often the result of infections. Bacteria, viruses and fungi like this area of the body because it offers them an ideal breeding ground. The corners of the mouth are usually moist. The small skin folds that form around the corners of the mouth provide additional protection against the pathogens. Like the causative agent of candidiasis or bacterial infections in children, herpes thrives in this environment.
Some people have a habit of constantly wetting the lips and corners of the mouth with the tip of their tongue. This behavior favors inflamed corners of the mouth. Conversely, very dry skin also causes inflamed corners of the mouth. Cracks form in the skin due to dryness. These cracks make it easier for the pathogens to penetrate the tissue.
Inflamed corners of the mouth can also occur as a result of an allergy. Dentures that do not fit properly irritate the corners of the mouth due to friction. A lack of vitamin B , iron or zinc promotes inflamed corners of the mouth. People suffering from Down syndrome or Parkinson’s often complain of inflamed corners of the mouth due to increased salivation.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
Inflamed corners of the mouth are initially and as the sole symptom no reason for a doctor’s visit. They often appear with increasing cold in autumn or winter. The organism has to adapt to a new season and often reacts with chapped lips or inflamed corners of the mouth.
Normally, the corners of the mouth heal on their own within a few days. It is important to ensure that the mouth is not opened excessively during this time so as not to cause further tears on the lip. For support, regenerating creams or home remedies can be applied to the affected areas. These shorten the healing process and help the skin in the transition period.
If the symptoms persist for a long time, a doctor should be consulted. He usually prescribes stronger preparations and carries out a comprehensive examination. Other diseases such as corner cheilitis must be clarified.
As soon as the inflamed areas of the mouth spread further, a doctor should also be consulted. The skin changes can develop in the mouth on the mucous membranes or on the outside of the lips or the surrounding skin. The inflamed corners of the mouth can be an indication of a weakened immune system. If they occur repeatedly or at regular intervals, a blood test should be carried out. This indicates whether there are deficiencies in certain vitamins, important nutrients or minerals.
diagnosis and course
The reddening makes it easy for the doctor to identify inflamed corners of the mouth. In order to track down the cause, he examines the extent and nature of the focus of inflammation. The characteristic formation of blisters speaks, for example, for herpes as a cause. A fungal infection can also be seen with the naked eye.
Further diagnostics are necessary if treatment with ointments does not work. The doctor then takes a swab. In addition, he takes blood from the patient to filter out the actual pathogen. To be on the safe side, he carries out an allergy test to rule out this as a trigger for inflamed corners of the mouth. If the patient has recently received dentures, he or she will refer them to a dentist.
The treatment is successful after five days at the latest. Then inflamed corners of the mouth should be completely gone. However, if the immune system is weakened, the disease will be more protracted or come back. Those who suffer from diabetes will have to struggle with the problem more often. Inflamed corners of the mouth are one of the typical symptoms of this disease.
complications
Inflamed corners of the mouth are often caused by viruses or bacteria. There is an acute risk of infection with these. In addition, they can spread the affected areas of the sufferer’s face and mouth further. Inflamed corners of the mouth are associated with a feeling of pain and are considered an optical defect. Concealing the corners of the mouth with makeup can lead to further complications. The healing process is slowed down by make-up products and there is a risk of intolerance. This is associated with reddening of the skin and itching .
Inflamed corners of the mouth mean that the opening of the mouth is restricted. This poses problems with feeding. There is a risk of a lack of essential nutrients, food or drink. A feeling of hunger sets in. In severe cases, there is an undersupply. This can trigger functional disorders or cause organ failure . If the corners of the mouth are deliberately opened too wide, the skin tears and the inflammation progresses.
During the healing process, scabs form in the corners of the mouth. If it is peeled off, this in turn represents an interruption in healing. This danger is particularly present in children. Inflamed corners of the mouth can cause decreased communication. People who have to speak and sing for professional reasons experience an increased feeling of discomfort because they cannot sufficiently protect the corners of their mouth by resting.
treatment and therapy
The doctor first treats inflamed corners of the mouth with a fatty cream or ointment. He also encourages the patient to lick their lips as little as possible. The best antidote is to keep the corner of the mouth dry and to remove the breeding ground for the pathogens. In addition, one must not further irritate inflamed corners of the mouth by scratching or rubbing them.
During the treatment, cosmetics should be avoided, at least in the oral cavity. Spicy and acidic foods disappear from the menu during this period. If you use a toothpaste with a strong mint content, it is better to switch to a milder toothpaste. The treatment ointments contain substances that remove moisture from the skin.
The pharmacist mixes the ointment with other additives that kill the diagnosed pathogens. The patient supplies himself with a lack of vitamins or trace elements with special preparations. If allergies have triggered inflamed corners of the mouth, the result is a change in diet.
outlook and prognosis
Inflamed corners of the mouth are a very common clinical picture, so that a very accurate and reliable prognosis can be given. In most cases, inflamed corners of the mouth heal on their own within a few days, so that no medical or drug treatment is required.
However, torn or inflamed corners of the mouth can cause severe pain, so that those affected have to reckon with severe restrictions on food intake. In rare cases, various complications can arise in connection with inflamed corners of the mouth, making medical treatment unavoidable.
If the affected person resorts to such treatment, then the prospect and prognosis for a speedy recovery is consistently positive. The unpleasant burning sensation when opening the mouth should subside after two days, so that there are no longer any restrictions on food intake.
However, the situation is different if the existing inflammation in the corners of the mouth worsens. In such a case, the pain increases many times over, so that in rare cases pus can even form. Moisturizing creams or ointments can improve the prospect and prognosis of rapid healing.
prevention
The best way to prevent inflamed corners of the mouth is to not provide the germs with a breeding ground. One should refrain from constantly moistening the corners of the mouth. At the same time, you should be careful not to let your lips dry out too much. This problem is faced by people who stay in dry air for a long time in winter or work in air-conditioned rooms.
In this case, applying Vaseline or a greasy skin cream protects the lips. People who are allergic to nickel are sometimes unaware that a ballpoint pen can contain this substance. So if you chew on a pen lost in thought, you sometimes don’t notice what your body is absorbing at that moment. Eating a balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, and meat prevents nutrient deficiencies that cause inflamed corners of the mouth.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.